Global Consistency and Improved Operational Workflows with Aruba Network Solutions

Global Consistency and Improved Operational Workflows with Aruba Network Solutions The SCHURTER Group is embracing digital transformation to boost its operational efficiency and remain competitive in the global market. With the help of Aruba network solutions, the company is striving for consistent standardization to achieve improved product tracking, lean supply chains, and seamless network connectivity.

The SCHURTER Group

SCHURTER is a global manufacturer of electronic components, input systems, and complete solutions. Headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland, the SCHURTER Group comprises 21 companies in 17 countries.

“For us, the network is more than just a technical component,” says Urs Heller, Head of Enterprise Services & CDO, SCHURTER Group. “The network is at the heart of all our activities: from communication and collaboration to product development and operations.”

STANDARDIZATION TO IMPROVE MANUFACTURING CERTAINTY

Urs Heller, Head of Enterprise Services & CDO, SCHURTER Group, explains that digital transformation is of crucial importance. SCHURTER must increase its operational efficiency to compete in the global market. To do so, the group must connect its local teams through centralized management and administration, as well as centrally

collect data and share insights. Digital connectivity can also improve product traceability and streamline global supply chains.

“When we manufacture a component of a product, we must be able to track its production and component materials,” he explains. “That’s simply a must. We have customers in the medical technology and food industries, and applicable regulations require us to track global production.”

Global operations are becoming increasingly harmonized. Several companies within the SCHURTER Group are already working closely together to exchange production information in real time. In the future, coordination between production sites is likely to increase further.

The key to the SCHURTER Group’s success lies in its consistency. “Standardization promotes consistency,” says Heller. He wants a consistent networking experience across the Group’s entire global business operations, from performance to SLA support: “Our goal is to have a single network partner, a single set of SLAs, and a single support relationship! I need clearly defined responsibilities.” All of these services are provided at a high level by AXIANS.

  

Project Overview

  • Goals

    – Development of a global network blueprint to improve consistency

    – Reduction of resources required for network management

    – Creation of network SLAs

  • Solution

    SCHURTER’s global network is based on Aruba technology and was designed and deployed by AXIANS. It includes Aruba CX 8320 Series switches in the core, Aruba CX 6200F Series access switches, and Aruba 500 Series access points. Aruba ClearPass ensures secure network access. SCHURTER manages the devices and services itself via Aruba Central and receives additional support from AXIANS as needed.

    – Aruba 500 Series Access Points

    – Aruba CX 8320 Series Core Switches

    – Aruba CX 6200 Series Access Switches

    – ClearPass for network access control Aruba Central

  • Implementation

    “This is an extremely pragmatic approach,” says Reto Fallegger, Solutions Architect for Cloud & Data Center at Axians AXIANS AG and former SCHURTER IT specialist on Heller’s team. “SCHURTER wants to actively manage its network, but recognizes that specific external expertise will be needed from time to time. Whenever the company needs support, we’re always ready to help.
    ” Heller says that the decision to choose Aruba was not a difficult one: “This is a long-term commitment. There are few brands with comparable strength, product roadmap, and network vision. The combination of Aruba and AXIANS is essential to our success.”

  • Advantages

    – Enables the automation of secure network segmentation for employees, partners, visitors, and parties involved in manufacturing

    – Provides seamless mobility across offices, production facilities, and sales locations

    – Simplifies the integration of third-party applications to accelerate digital transformation

Results

Today, the three SCHURTER locations in Switzerland are connected via the Aruba network. The hardware and management layers provide a template for global business operations, while local companies are free to continue working with their own network providers as long as those providers can guarantee the necessary support and service levels. The Swiss network is now more stable and

more efficient. For the first time, measures have been put in place to monitor network performance and plan for continuous improvements. Employees at SCHURTER Group offices use Microsoft 365 services, which they access via the Networking Core. Logistics teams at SCHURTER distribution centers work with handheld scanners that function as edge devices at the network perimeter. Aruba ClearPass manages secure access for visitors.

The SCHURTER Group is experimenting with new digital possibilities: from workplace collaboration to Industry 4.0. The open Aruba architecture simplifies the task of integrating new third-party applications.

“We are currently exploring the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in manufacturing,” says Heller. “We’re interested in how these technologies can optimize our processes, minimize production waste, and give us better control over our operations,” says Heller

THE GOAL: NETWORK-AS-A-SERVICE

Aruba enables the creation of a template for global consistency and, provided the right conditions are in place, offers a roadmap for transitioning network management to a service model.

“Currently, we are focusing on practical network management,” explains Heller. “We have many business projects that depend on network changes, and these must be handled by the local IT team. Our top priority for employees is that they can visit any SCHURTER location and have seamless, uninterrupted access to the network.”

The use of Aruba Central enables SCHURTER to bring new locations online quickly and with minimal resource expenditure. The hardware is shipped to the new location, installation is managed by local teams, and configuration is handled by the network team at the group’s headquarters in Lucerne.

“We are highly satisfied with the support provided by AXIANS based on Aruba technology,” says Heller. “In this important strategic relationship, both parties are growing together. We have many ongoing digital projects, and although SCHURTER has expert network engineers, we will likely transfer additional operational tasks to AXIANS over time.”

 

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